FreedomPop Looking Beyond Sprint for Growth

FreedomPop, an MVNO that resells access to Sprint's network, hopes to increase its reach by partnering with either AT&T or T-Mobile. The company is looking at these two GSM carriers specifically because they use SIM card-based devices, which makes it easier to switch from phone to phone. Such a move would "open up a whole new avenue for us," said FreedomPop CEO Stephen Stoklos in an interview with FierceWireless. FreedomPop sells its own handsets and also offers a stand-alone application called FreedomPop Free Voice and Text. The app can be used by non-FreedomPop customers to make free voice calls and send free messages (which are sent through the phone's data connection). FreedomPop hopes the app will help convince customers of other carriers to eventually make the switch to FreedomPop. FreedomPop said it is holding active discussions with AT&T and T-Mobile and may close on a deal during the second half of the year.